Emilio Aguinaldo College

Jose Rizal University ( JRU ) doused a late Emilio Aguinaldo College rally to carve out an 85-79 victory in NCAA Season 89 action Monday at The Arena in San Juan.

Marco Balagtas scored 14 points, three rebounds and two assists to lead for JRU, which answered every EAC attempt to come back in the game.

After a 21-all tie after the first quarter, the Heavy Bombers started the second quarter with an 8-0 run which helped them get a 37-27 advantage.

But the Generals countered that with a 7-0 run to close the second period just behind by three, 37-34.

JRU built another 10-point lead in the third period, 47-37. However, EAC kept on fighting and trimmed its deficit to two, 58-56, after a Jolas Paguia triple before the Heavy Bombers closed the quarter with a 63-59 edge.

Balagtas then caught fire for JRU, sinking two triples in the Heavy Bombers’ 12-4 run to grab a commanding 75-63 lead which they stretched to 14, 83-69, with 3:37 left in the game.

But EAC didn’t surrender right away, launching a 10-0 run capped by an Igee King triple to close within four, 83-79, with eight seconds left.

However, JRU won the jumpball on the next play and Paolo Pontejos made two free throws to settle the final score.

JRU improved to a 3-2 win-loss record to take the fourth spot in the team standings.

EAC suffered its second straight loss to remain at ninth place with a 1-4 card.

Season host University of Perpetual Help System Dalta escaped with a thrilling 28-26, 25-17, 16-25, 22-25, 15-12 win over hard-fighting Emilio Aguinaldo College in the 87th NCAA women’s tournament on Saturday at the Letran Gym in Intramuros.

The win was the firth straight for the Lady Altas to remain on top of the standings and continue their hunt for the crown, which slipped off their hands last season after the NCAA Management Committee forfeited all of their games after finding out that two of their players were ineligible to play.

“We knew its going to be tough game, it’s a matter of hanging tough and staying in control,” said Lady Altas mentor Michael Rafael.

The lost dropped the Lady Generals to second spot with a 4-1 slate, their most impressive start since joining the league in 2008. — JVP, GMA News